Diageo spent $570,000 in fourth quarter lobbying government on taxes, labeling issues

WASHINGTON (AP) — A unit of London-based spirits company Diageo PLC, which makes Johnnie Walker whisky, Smirnoff vodka and other products, spent $570,000 in the fourth quarter lobbying the U.S. government, according to a recent disclosure form.

That's up from the $490,000 that Diageo North America Inc. spent in the year-ago period, and slightly less than the $580,000 it spent in the third quarter of 2009.

Diageo lobbied on taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and other issues. Some state lawmakers have proposed taxing sugary beverages as a way to raise money and reduce obesity, which is linked to costly health problems such as diabetes.

The company lobbied both arms of Congress in the October-through-December period, according to the form filed Jan. 20 with the House clerk's office.